Nau mai, haere mai – welcome
This is a locally-maintained list of wellbeing / support services in Taranaki. Spotted an out-of-date entry, or an organisation which is missing? Please drop us an email to let us know, and we’ll sort it!
You can select a category below, search for a keyword, or just browse the full directory.
Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou ka ora ai te iwi – With your food basket and my food basket the people will thrive.
Biographical Info
Age Concern Taranaki provides a free and confidential Elder Abuse Response Service (EARS) for the whole Taranaki region. We work very closely and collaboratively with many support agencies across the Taranaki district including DHB’s, police, social workers, home-based support. Our professional Elder Abuse staff work with older people / kaumātua and their carers providing support and advocacy so that older people can be happy, healthy and safe from harm.
Age Concern Taranaki responds to any and all allegations of Elder Abuse Taranaki wide. Elder Abuse incudes Psychological abuse, Financial abuse, Neglect, Self-neglect, Physical abuse and Institutional abuse.
Anyone over the age of 65 can self-refer or be referred by someone else (family, friends, health professionals etc.) The EARS team pride ourselves on being able to engage with our Kaumātua and form meaningful relationships. We are able to provide advocacy for our clients with services such as Work and Income as well as support our clients to their appointments (GP, Lawyers etc.) when necessary.
EARS can facilitate Whanau Hui (family meetings) when clients want their families and loved ones involved in their support plans.
Our team consists of both Registered Social Workers and Nurses who complete holistic assessments to identify abuse and risk factors. Often safety plans are completed, and referrals are made to other relevant services such as Police and specialist services within Te Whatu Ora. This enables us to work collaboratively and ensure a wraparound approach to support our clients.
Where? Support is offered online, via phone, and in-person
When? Our offices are open Monday to Friday 8.30am-2pm. Or you can contact 0800 652 105 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Who? Those over 65 years old
Referrals are accepted from self, whānau/family, workplaces, GPs, and other health professionals.
Biographical Info
Kia ora, I’m Nic, a qualified naturopath and medical herbalist based in New Plymouth, Taranaki.
I work with women (and their families) who are ready to feel well again – women who are tired of managing symptoms and want to understand what their bodies are truly asking for. I also work with their families.
A root-cause approach to your health: Rather than masking symptoms, I work to understand what’s driving them. I’ve been supporting clients in their health journeys since 2006, with a focus on restoring balance naturally.
Through detailed consultations and personalised plans, we support your body to heal – gently and sustainably. This means fewer flare-ups, more energy, and long-term results you can trust.
My approach is grounded, practical, and deeply personalised – because no two bodies are the same. My healing plans blend the science of natural medicine with the wisdom of the earth.
If you are ready to make a fresh start with your health, I’m here to support you in feeling well again.
Where? Available nationwide in-person, via phone and online. Online sessions available worldwide
When? Sessions are available Tuesday to Thursday, 10am-6pm. Late nights available by arrangement only.
Who? Woman and their families
We accept referrals from self, whānau, GP and Health Clinics and other health professionals. Costs vary.
Biographical Info
There are a number of free food sources around Taranaki. These include pātaka kai/food pantries, food banks, free meals, community māra/gardens and orchards.
Click here to see free food sources in Taranaki
Click here to find community gardens and orchards in Taranaki
If you need food, please reach out to any of the great community groups and see the list of koha and free food in Taranaki and a list of pātaka kai.
Contact them too if, on the other hand, you have excess food through your business, or home-grown produce or are keen to support these inspiring organisations through donations or volunteering.
If you know of other stockists/retailers/suppliers/services or all-round fantastic sustainable sources, please let us know so that we can include them here.
Biographical Info
Kōia – mana kai, mana tangata (Gardening for well-being) is a holistic, gardening-based health initiative (building on the existing Green Prescription), which encourages participation in community gardening to boost physical, spiritual, emotional/mental, & family/social well-being, by embedding positive behaviour change.
This is a social prescribing, holistic, health improvement service. It uses the mana of recognised health professionals to refer their patients to coordinated community garden sessions In Taranaki.
The objective is to maintain & improve participants holistic well-being by being involved in community gardening activities. Based on the Māori hauora concept of “Te Whare Tapa Whā”, participants benefit through physical activity, social connection, community contribution, & spiritual wellbeing. This kaupapa is still getting established. More gardens & referrers are being developed.
It is not about learning to garden (although that sometimes happens); it is about being present in a healthy community space. However, it is strongly connected to other kai resilience (& sustainability) kaupapa so can help with the economic wellbeing as well (the 5th “wall” of the “whare”).
Where? Available in North, South and Coastal Taranaki.
When? Days and times vary across the different locations and seasons.
Who? All ages. Under 18s need to be accompanied by an adult
Referrals: We accept referrals from GP and other health professionals.
Biographical Info
New Plymouth Community Foodbank has been providing food assistance to members of the New Plymouth community for over 20 years.
We utilise the time and skill of volunteers to pack food parcels based on individual need and circumstance to help alleviate food insecurity.
Donations of food, household consumables and money come from the community to provide a service for the community by the community.
Support is provided directly to people in need and thru referrals from other social service providers – call, email or contact us thru Facebook, we are open Monday, Wednesday and Friday
– closed all public holidays.
Click here for other food for free and Pātaka Kai across Taranaki
Biographical Info
The New Plymouth Salvation Army is a Christian based charity. Our vision is to care for people, transform lives and reform society. Helping those in need through a number of programmes and services open to the community. We welcome everyone to our centre.
Church | Sunday Service 10.30am (Including children’s church). We also hold house churches on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.
Prayer (Karakia) | Tuesday to Friday 9:00am Early morning prayer and devotions to start your day.
Women’s Support Group | Wednesday 10am
Women’s support group is a place where women can be empowered and supported and make good friendships with like-minded people. Learn about yourself and others through a spiritual journey in a safe space. We welcome women from all walks of life.
Tautoko Tane – Men’s Support Group Wednesday 10am
Tautoko Tane is a men’s support group for all men dealing with life on life’s terms. From men’s mental wellbeing, addictions, recovery, family and faith, this group gets together every Wednesday, sometimes offsite.
Recovery Church | Wednesday 6pm
Recovery Church embraces the slogan, ‘A place to belong before you believe!’ Recovery Church is a safe space for those who are on the recovery journey. Whether you are seeking support to begin the journey, are on day one, or have clean time behind you, this ministry is based on the 12 Steps and offers support through a spiritual programme.
Lord’s Gym Box Fit Class | Tuesday and Thursday 5pm
A 1-hour box fit class led by our passionate facilitator! Held in our auditorium, this class is about looking after our physical selves. A gold coin donation is appreciated.
Food and Wellbeing Support | Tuesday or Thursday’s | 10 – 12.30pm Call to book an Appointment
We offer wellbeing support and navigation including emotional support, goal setting and self development. For those in this service we have a social supermarket for food assistance available. We can also assist with a various number of other welfare concerns as needed.
Community Connections – Advocacy
We can be an advocate for you during meetings or events, you might find stressful doing alone. We can also find connections for you in the community to help support you further.
Reintegration Service
Reintegration works with those who are incarcerated and are ready to be released into society. We have a team that meets and walks beside those people, helping them put their best foot forward and supporting them on the journey as they find themselves in the community.
Supportive Housing
Transitional housing is a short-term accommodation service to help those in need who are looking for long-term properties.
Social Housing
This service is a long-term housing solution for single people.
Taranaki Bridge Programme
This programme is a live-in rehabilitation program for those suffering from addiction. The programme offers a nine-week course to help clients learn to live without the use of alcohol and drugs, as well as engaging clients in community services that support sobriety.
Family Stores
Our Family Stores offer second hand goods sold at reasonable prices! Donations welcome. All proceeds of the shop are sown back into The Salvation Army services, allowing us to continue helping the community.
Book Fair
We are always seeking donations of quality books for our annual book fair.
Where? North Taranaki. Support available in-person, online and via phone.
When? Tuesday to Friday, 9am – 2.30pm; Sundays from 10.30am.
Who? Anyone, including whānau, communities, and workplaces.
Referrals: We accept referrals from self, whānau, GP, health professionals and workplaces. Some programmes may have a waitlist.
Biographical Info
Kia ora; Taranaki Retreat offers a ‘Space to Breathe’ for individuals or whānau going through tough times – people helping people; alongside-you holistic peer-support, connected up and working hand-in-hand with our clinical services – each of us doing our bit to make sure that you are heard and cared for.
People reach out, or when that is too hard, friends/whānau members and other caring services get in touch with us every single day to get some support rolling. That’s what we’re here for. We offer a Support Hub (Waimanako), an Outreach Support Hub (Waihāpai), a food truck (Waimanaaki), and a peaceful Time Out space in the country.
Waimanako is a “safe space” in New Plymouth (35 Octavius Place) with awesome kai and coffee, and many workshops and support groups. We’re open Monday to Friday (check out our website for our hours), and we’re On Pause on Weekends and Public Holidays. Listening Ear support is always available – you don’t need an appointment!
If you need kai support, we have a food truck ‘Waimanaaki’ which offers free kai for our community! Locations and times are available on our website and on our Facebook page ‘Waimanako; Support Hub’.
Biographical Info
We supply emergency kai parcels to the North Taranaki region. You can apply online by clicking here, or pop down to our Foodbank at 5 West Quay, Waitara.
We promote kai sovereignty and resilience.
We initiated and oversee the Waitara Community māra/garden at St Johns Church, 41 Domett Street. The Community māra is available for everyone to use at any time.
We run termly free cooking classes. Please note the cooking class numbers are limited. Contact us for more information
Where? Available across North Taranaki region – Waitara, Lepperton, Huirangi, Tikorangi, Urenui, Onaero, Uruti, Ahititi , Tongaporutu and Mokau
When? Foodbank is open Monday, Wednesday and Fridays, 9am – 3pm.
Community Garden is always open
Cooking classes run during term time, 4.30 – 6.30pm
Who? Everyone
Click here to find out about other Food For Free & Pātaka Kai across Taranaki
